Devils discussion (news, notes and speculation) - part V

[Bleedred]

How do you guys think our goaltensing situation is going to be next year ? I'd Iike to keep Allen but that Daws 1 way deal might throw a monkey wrench into that possibility.

I think Daws is still not waiver eligible? I think?

I think they’d like Allen back, but would prefer a one year deal and probably not a two year deal.

Daws has played well, but I’m a little scared it might not work out and get Vitek/Schmid 23-24 vibes out of a Markstrom/Daws tandem.

It could work out or it could not. 50/50.

 

[Camille the Eel]

It's really not a strong draft year. I really like the top 3 (Schaefer, Hagens, Misa) and there will be some quality players in the top 10, but guys who will be going off the board mid 1st round in 2025 would be 2nd rounders in 2024 or 2026. It's not the worst year to be lacking a 1st round pick.

I like the idea of the Devils scrapping for a playoff spot. If they can hang on to the #3 seed in the Metro, Carolina is very beatable in a likely first round matchup. I don't think we can understate how huge getting through a round of playoffs would be for this group going forwards.

It's reasonable to assume that there will be some big work for GM Tom Fitzgerald this off-season. A top 6 scoring F is going to be the Big Fish, with Simon Nemec as the likely trade-bait. After this, the center depth needs to be addressed and some offensive pop needs to be injected into the bottom 6. But these are all realistic adds.

I can see us making a more structural move too that would include moving one or more of our supposed core pieces should the right player become available. Something akin to what Florida did when they got Tkachuk in a multi player swap.

To give one example, it's reasonable to suppose that we must know if Quinn Hughes really wants to come here and play alongside his brothers once he reaches free agency at the end of the 26-27 season. If so, what would it take to pry him loose from Vancouver during the off season in a trade so that we can renegotiate and extend him here? In a context like that one we could well justify moving one or more players we currently deem untouchable core pieces pieces as long as functional replacements could be found in that or another deal.

I'm not suggesting that this specific thing be done. Only that there's no reason to think that the only way for us going forward is to accept the current roster pieces as foundational and only to shore up the holes around the edges. A good GM will be thinking of shifting those foundations at the same time he's thinking of the tweaks and mere adjustments.

 

[NjDevsRR]

he’s super jacked so I just glare

 

[My3Sons]

I think Daws is still not waiver eligible? I think?

I think they’d like Allen back, but would prefer a one year deal and probably not a two year deal.

Daws has played well, but I’m a little scared it might not work out and get Vitek/Schmid 23-24 vibes out of a Markstrom/Daws tandem.

It could work out or it could not. 50/50.

Allen says he’s open to returning but he wants a NMC. In his case it’s not a no movement clause it’s a no mocking clause and you aren’t allowed to call him shit bag or stick him with softy of the night.

 

[Bleedred]

Allen says he’s open to returning but he wants a NMC. In his case it’s not a no movement clause it’s a no mocking clause and you aren’t allowed to call him shit bag or stick him with softy of the night.

You had me going there for a second!

I was like “did he actually say he wanted an NMC and discuss that already?”.

 

[Patrik26]

Allen says he’s open to returning but he wants a NMC. In his case it’s not a no movement clause it’s a no mocking clause and you aren’t allowed to call him shit bag or stick him with softy of the night.

If shit bag is a no go, what would Bleed do? It's in his DNA.

 

[longislanddevil]

Yeah we def need a new look to the top 6. The Palats of the world cannot be up there. Two new wingers would be ideal, ones who can keep up and not hinder Jack, Bratt, Nico or Timo.

Step on up Mr. Gritsyuk.

That’ll leave Fitzgerald needing one more piece for the top six, a third line center and a 4th liner. Lots to do in the offseason.

Gritsyuk-Hughes-Bratt
Meier-Hischier-?
Noesen-?-Mercer
Palat-Glass-?

In this scenario, Haula is bought out. Can Noesen play LW? I know that’s the most expensive fourth liner in the league at 6m. I guess Palat can be put on the third line but it certainly doesn’t inspire confidence.

I do agree with posters that I’d rather reallocate Hamilton’s 9m for a top six forward. It’s better for get out a year too early than a year too late. He still holds trade value. Do it before that value completely tanks. I’d like to see Casey on the third pair and PP2. Nemec and his cocky attitude can be used in a trade.

 

[longislanddevil]

Players wear helmets but does Frank need one, too? I somehow stumbled across his podcast. The guy is barely coherent. I hope he gets the help he needs. If you can’t take ANY joy from the team, it may be time to reevaluate priorities.

 

[My3Sons]

Step on up Mr. Gritsyuk.

That’ll leave Fitzgerald needing one more piece for the top six, a third line center and a 4th liner. Lots to do in the offseason.

Gritsyuk-Hughes-Bratt
Meier-Hischier-?
Noesen-?-Mercer
Palat-Glass-?

In thus scenario, Haula is bought out. Can Noesen play LW? I know that’s the most expensive fourth liner in the league at 6m. I guess Palat can be put on the third line but it certainly doesn’t inspire confidence.

I do agree with posters that I’d rather reallocate Hamilton’s 9m for a top six forward. It’s better for get out a year too early than a year too late. He still holds trade value. Do it before that value completely tanks. I’d like to see Casey on the third pair and PP2. Nemec and his cocky attitude can be used in a trade.

With the cap rising my guess is that Haula returns.

Palat Hughes Bratt
Grits Glass Noesen
Meier Hischier Mercer
Xxxxx Haula xxxxxx
McD

Getting rid of Haula saves relative peanuts. If they can trade Palat maybe they do that.

 

[bossram]

With the cap rising my guess is that Haula returns.

Palat Hughes Bratt
Grits Glass Noesen
Meier Hischier Mercer
Xxxxx Haula xxxxxx
McD

Getting rid of Haula saves relative peanuts. If they can trade Palat maybe they do that.

Like your lineup. Elite third line

It would be nice to either reallocate Palat's cap, or at least be able to shuttle him down to the 4th line and find an actual top-six winger for Jack/Bratt.

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

Actually excited for the game tomorrow.

 

[NjDevsRR]

Players wear helmets but does Frank need one, too? I somehow stumbled across his podcast. The guy is barely coherent. I hope he gets the help he needs. If you can’t take ANY joy from the team, it may be time to reevaluate priorities.

It all helps his barstool schtick. Has a half million followers across IG and Twitter. He also interviews sport athletes and personalities and even gave the command at a nascar race. Tank is doing fine lol better than most in terms of career too. Also, he lost like 150 pounds in the last year or two so good for him.









But yes, the schtick is annoying

 

[NjDevsRR]

Actually excited for the game tomorrow.

View attachment 991276

They better win. Oilers just lost to Buffalo so they have two days off to think that over before us

 

[Omar Little]

With the cap rising my guess is that Haula returns.

Palat Hughes Bratt
Grits Glass Noesen
Meier Hischier Mercer
Xxxxx Haula xxxxxx
McD

Getting rid of Haula saves relative peanuts. If they can trade Palat maybe they do that.

Gritsyuk should be tried on the RW with either Hughes or Hischier. That's his natural position.

Palat Hughes Gritysuk (Bratt lite)
Bratt Hischier Noesen
Meier Glass Mercer
Cotter Haula XXXX

Could also go

Palat Hughes Gritysuk (Bratt lite)
Bratt Hischier Meier
Haula Glass Mercer
Cotter XXXX Noesen

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

it isnt a schtick with Frank, he is literally just a psychopath

 

[NjdevilfanJim]

Nope.

My argument is pretty nuanced and middle-of-the-road, but apparently that is "punting the season". Well, why not go all in then? Serious question.

I get what you are trying to say and I agree to some extent....The picks aren't worthless they have value I can live with him parting with those picks but the prospects on top of them was where he went overboard...If it was the prospects and keep the picks ok but both was bad....Much rather still have Traff then the second rounder for Doom...In a perfect world would have liked to see Misyul brought up and given a chance to fill Siegs spot over getting Doom at all but the world isn't perfect and with Nemec and Casey getting time no way they were going to run another young guy on Defense....

 

[dzubrus8]

Gritsyuk should be tried on the RW with either Hughes or Hischier. That's his natural position.

Palat Hughes Gritysuk (Bratt lite)
Bratt Hischier Noesen
Meier Glass Mercer
Cotter Haula XXXX

Could also go

Palat Hughes Gritysuk (Bratt lite)
Bratt Hischier Meier
Haula Glass Mercer
Cotter XXXX Noesen

Palat Hughes Bratt
Meier Hischier Noesen
Gritsyuk XXXX Mercer
Cotter Haula Glass

I mostly like that lineup. Obviously prefer Palat to be swapped out but I think the contract will be tough to move and he has chemistry with 63+86. Get a reliable and good 3C (a McCann or ROR type would each work). Glass can play 3C in a pinch but would prefer not to bank on it. They’ll have some cap for it

Team has too many RWers. Noesen, Mercer both RH and don’t play LW. Meier, Bratt, Grits we say are natural RW despite being LH

 

[Smitty426]

Palat (if stil here, hope not) cannot play that high in the lineup! They need a big body who can skate with Bratt and Jack. A guy like Nuke in Colo. Colton too in Colo, not as skilled but similar tools (disrupter good skater etc)

 

[devsfan8]

I get what you are trying to say and I agree to some extent....The picks aren't worthless they have value I can live with him parting with those picks but the prospects on top of them was where he went overboard...If it was the prospects and keep the picks ok but both was bad....Much rather still have Traff then the second rounder for Doom...In a perfect world would have liked to see Misyul brought up and given a chance to fill Siegs spot over getting Doom at all but the world isn't perfect and with Nemec and Casey getting time no way they were going to run another young guy on Defense....

I am not going to kill our GM for trading Traff who has never sniffed the NHL for a veteran left defenseman who has won 2 cups and plays solid defensively? I don't want Nemec and Casey out there at all or as little as possible right now.

We needed to replace Siegenthaler AS BAD or more then we needed scoring help!! That move was MORE necessary in my opnion. This team will need to play a tight defensive game and low scoring contests. The guy isn't 40. He is 33 and a UFA. That is what BUYING teams do. Dumolin is still a solid Dman. He offers nothing to a non playoff team.

Are we really being THIS ridiculous? To give us a better shot at the post season? A team who has made the playoffs 3 times in 9 years? I am tired of missing the dance.

Why is this even a discussion? I swear lol, if I was a third party observer who just woke up today and read all of this, i would think the team is not in a playoff spot right now because that's how people are talking.

The Devils have PLENTY of assets. If I found out that Fitz was targeting a replacement for Siegs but backed out because he did't want to trade a 2nd round pick and mid level prospect, in the middle of a tight playoff race, I would be upset. Maybe I'm crazy.

At least admit you understand the move and the overpay if nothing else.

 

[Edmonton East]

With a healthy roster, how are people still pairing Jack and Bratt? Did you stop watching this team after Christmas? Keefe glued them to each other this year and they simply did not produce enough at ES, particularly vs good teams. They got some of the most favorable deployments of any top 6 forward line in the entire NHL too! I've posted before, Bratt's SOG/gm dropped off a cliff this season at ES. Sure, he isn't a shoot first player, but dropping from over 2 SOG/gm to 1.4 while playing with this team's best offensive player is terrible.

Bratt needs to be with Nico. The eye test for 4 years shows this. The "advanced" stats further back this up. If Jack and Bratt truly fit together, you'd be able to stick gumby on the other wing and get elevated production out of that player, which hasn't happened at all. Jack and Bratt's strengths and weaknesses have way too much overlap.

Nevermind how blatantly obvious it is Bratt should be playing LW and Timo should be playing RW. Still waiting for this at ES. And yes, contrary to the hilarious new conventional wisdom that winger side doesn't matter at all for any player, anyone that has actually played hockey knows that's total horseshit. Some players are interchangeable, I'd argue the overwhelming majority are not and have a side preference. Doesn't matter if you OBVIOUSLY rotate a bit during shifts. General starting point and assignment isn't immaterial to most players.

 

[Triumph]

With a healthy roster, how are people still pairing Jack and Bratt? Did you stop watching this team after Christmas? Keefe glued them to each other this year and they simply did not produce enough at ES, particularly vs good teams. They got some of the most favorable deployments of any top 6 forward line in the entire NHL too! I've posted before, Bratt's SOG/gm dropped off a cliff this season at ES. Sure, he isn't a shoot first player, but dropping from over 2 SOG/gm to 1.4 while playing with this team's best offensive player is terrible.

It's so funny when you just assert things with absolutely no basis. Hughes's on-ice GF/60 after Christmas was 3.5. That's 38th in the league over that stretch for forwards who played 100 minutes or more. Now you might say 'that's not good enough!' but you pointed at it as an obvious downturn.

One player in the top 65 type nonsense.

Bratt needs to be with Nico. The eye test for 4 years shows this. The "advanced" stats further back this up. If Jack and Bratt truly fit together, you'd be able to stick gumby on the other wing and get elevated production out of that player, which hasn't happened at all. Jack and Bratt's strengths and weaknesses have way too much overlap.

Meier doesn't fit with Hughes, so who are you putting with Hughes in this scenario? 2 new forwards?

Nevermind how blatantly obvious it is Bratt should be playing LW and Timo should be playing RW. Still waiting for this at ES. And yes, contrary to the hilarious new conventional wisdom that winger side doesn't matter at all for any player, anyone that has actually played hockey knows that's total horseshit. Some players are interchangeable, I'd argue the overwhelming majority are not and have a side preference. Doesn't matter if you OBVIOUSLY rotate a bit during shifts. General starting point and assignment isn't immaterial to most players.

Love this part because it doesn't acknowledge at all that Bratt is one of the highest scoring forwards in the league playing RW. Now might Meier's shooting issues come from playing LW? Quite possibly. It does not change the fact that Bratt is incredible at attacking from his off-wing.

 

[Edmonton East]

The 3 things I'm most interested in to close out this underachieving season:

1) Can Mercer be serviceable as a consistent C. Metrics have been very mixed so far at best....but eye test wise I think he's looked solid at times. We'll see.

2) Can Cody Glass be salvaged and a re-sign candidate. No, I'm not gonna make crazy optimistic proclamations after a strong debut. But this trade at least made some sense from Fitz, even though I'm surprised Graham had to be involved. In a perfect world, he plays well enough down the stretch and can be re-signed with term and discounted $$$. He's close to flaming out, so would expect him to sign cheap AAV for term security, again, if it works out. This org needs C depth so damn bad.

3) Can Markstrom regain form. Markstrom has always been a streaky goalie. He's also always been relatively rough early in games. He was playing lights out prior to injury and that's clearly what the Devs need. Would be more confident in him balling out if it wasn't for the last 2 average years in Calgary and then the mostly average first 2 months in NJ. Hopefully his stellar middle of the season play wasn't just an aberration....

 

[Mgd31]

The 3 things I'm most interested in to close out this underachieving season:

1) Can Mercer be serviceable as a consistent C. Metrics have been very mixed so far at best....but eye test wise I think he's looked solid at times. We'll see.

2) Can Cody Glass be salvaged and a re-sign candidate. No, I'm not gonna make crazy optimistic proclamations after a strong debut. But this trade at least made some sense from Fitz, even though I'm surprised Graham had to be involved. In a perfect world, he plays well enough down the stretch and can be re-signed with term and discounted $$$. He's close to flaming out, so would expect him to sign cheap AAV for term security, again, if it works out. This org needs C depth so damn bad.

3) Can Markstrom regain form. Markstrom has always been a streaky goalie. He's also always been relatively rough early in games. He was playing lights out prior to injury and that's clearly what the Devs need. Would be more confident in him balling out if it wasn't for the last 2 average years in Calgary and then the mostly average first 2 months in NJ. Hopefully his stellar middle of the season play wasn't just an aberration....

I am hoping Markstrom can have a performance like the first Rangers game back in November. He was kind of crappy up until then. He shut the door and then took off from there